Optics: eye examining – vision testing and correcting – Spectacles and eyeglasses – With antiglare or shading
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-31
2001-10-16
Mai, Huy (Department: 2873)
Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting
Spectacles and eyeglasses
With antiglare or shading
C351S058000, C351S128000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302538
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a clip-on sunglass assembly and more particularly to an enclosed spring bridge mechanism for a clip-on sunglass assembly which permits the assembly to be easily and securely mounted on eyeglasses.
A clip-on sunglass assembly consists of a metal or plastic frame which carries a pair of light attenuating plastic or glass lenses. A mechanism is provided to permit the assembly to be removably mounted on eyeglasses.
In order to be commercially acceptable, the clip-on sunglass assembly must be light in weight, reasonably rugged and relatively inexpensive. It must also be easy to mount on and remove from the eyeglasses. Further, it must mount without damaging the eyeglasses, particularly the lenses.
One common type of mounting mechanism is a clamp which is attached to the bridge of the sunglass assembly. It includes pairs of opposing prongs which are spring loaded toward each other so as to retain the lenses of the eyeglasses between the prongs. Examples of this clamp-type mechanism are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,575,497 issued Apr. 20, 1971 to Leblanc, U.S. Pat. No. 8,164,749 issued Nov. 17, 1992 to Shelton and U.S. Design Pat. No. Des 350,359 issued Sep. 6, 1994 to Friedman.
However, clamp-type mechanisms have their disadvantages. The prongs must clamp tightly to the lenses, potentially scratching the lenses. The mechanism may obstruct the view partially. Moreover, this type of mechanism has several inter-engaging parts which must be fabricated precisely and assembled, making it relatively expensive and not always unreliable.
In order to overcome these drawbacks, I developed a spring bridge mechanism for mounting a clip-on sunglasses assembly which does not contact or clamp the lenses of the eyeglasses and therefore cannot scratch them. The mechanism utilizes one or more sets of exposed spring loaded prongs. The prongs are movably or flexibly mounted on the sunglass frame assembly such that they can be moved against a spring force, for insertion between spaced portions of the eyeglasses frame. The spring force causes the prongs to frictionally engage the eyeglass frame. Because the prongs only touch the frame, the lenses of the eyeglasses are not clamped or otherwise engaged. I received U.S. Pat. No. 5,953,096 entitled “Universal Center Bridge Mounting Mechanism for Clip-On Sunglasses” on Sep. 14, 1999 for that mechanism.
Another type of clip-on sunglass frame assembly, such as is described in Lockwood U.S. Pat. No. 2,926,563, consists of mirror image frame parts, each of which carries a lens. The frame parts are connected together by a bridge mechanism which includes a metal coil spring. The mechanism permits the frame parts to move away from each other as the spring is compressed. Each frame part, at its outer extremity, is provided with a set (typically two or three) eyeglass frame engaging prongs. When the frame parts are moved away from each other, against the force of the spring, the eyeglass frame can be inserted between the prong sets. Releasing the frame parts permits the spring to move frame parts toward each other, such that the eyeglass frame is securely retained between the prong sets.
One problem inherent in this type of spring bridge mechanism is that the coil spring is exposed. Aside from being unsightly, this is undesirable because bits of solid debris and other particulate foreign matter can enter between the coils to jam the mechanism or distort the spring. Liquid, such as rain or sweat, can enter the mechanism resulting in rusting or deterioration of the parts. Further, the skin, hair and eyebrows of the user are not protected from the exposed spring and can be pinched by the spring.
Another problem involved with having lens carrying frame parts which are moveable relative to each other relates to the linear alignment of the lenses. Since the lenses are polarized, it is important that proper linear alignment of the lenses be maintained. This requires the bridge mechanism to include a means for maintaining proper linear alignment between the lenses.
My invention overcomes these problems by enclosing the coil spring of the bridge mechanism within a slender cylindrical enclosure. The enclosure isolates the spring from the skin and hair of the wearer and prevents debris and liquids from reaching the spring.
The enclosure serves the additional purpose of cooperating with the bridge elements of the frame parts to keep the frame parts in proper alignment. This is achieved by one or more slots in the enclosure which cooperate with protrusions on the bridge elements to maintain the frame parts in alignment. The enclosure interior wall also provides an end surface for the spring to abut.
The enclosure enhances the appearance of the assembly by hiding the unsightly spring and the bridge element ends. Preferably, the enclosure is made of the same material and finish as the bridge elements and frame, resulting in a mechanism which is much less conspicuous than an exposed spring.
It is, therefore, a prime object of the present invention to provide a spring bridge mechanism for a clip-on sunglass assembly in which the spring is fully enclosed.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an enclosed spring bridge mechanism for a clip-on sunglass assembly which has an attractive appearance.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an enclosed spring bridge mechanism for a clip-on sunglass assembly which is much less conspicuous than conventional mechanisms of this type.
In accordance with the present invention, a sunglass assembly for eyeglass is provided including first and second frame parts. Each frame part includes a lens retaining portion with a set of protruding eyeglass engaging prongs and a bridge element. Means are provided connecting the bridge elements for movement between a proximate position, wherein the frame parts are relatively close to each other, and a remote position, wherein the frame parts are relatively far from each other. The connecting means includes a spring and a substantially cylindrical enclosure having at least one open end through which the bridge element of one frame part extends. The spring is situated within the enclosure. The spring is operably interposed between the end of the bridge element and the enclosure wall. The spring normally biases the frame parts towards the proximate position. Means are provided for attaching the bridge element of the other frame part to the enclosure.
The attaching means may include an opening in the other end of the enclosure into which the bridge element of the other frame part extends. In this preferred embodiment, a second spring is situated within the enclosure. It is operably interposed between the end of the bridge element of the other frame part and the enclosure wall.
The enclosure has a slot. The end of the bridge element carries a protrusion which extends into the slot. The spring is operably interposed between the protrusion and the enclosure.
The end of the bridge element of the other frame part also has a protrusion which extends into a slot. The second spring is operably interposed between the protrusion on the end of the bridge element of the other frame part and the enclosure wall.
One open end of the enclosure may be tapered. The spring abuts the tampered end. The other open end of the enclosure may also be tapered. The second spring abuts the tapered other end.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a sunglass assembly is provided for mounting on eyeglasses. The assembly includes first and second fame parts. Each part includes a lens retaining portion with at least one eyeglass engaging prong and a bridge element. Means are provided connecting the bridge elements for movement between a proximate position, wherein the frame parts are relatively close to each other, and a remote position, wherein the frame parts are relatively far from each other. The connecting means includes a substantially cylindrical enclosure having open ends through which the bridge elements of the respective frame parts extend. A first spr
Epstein Robert L.
James Harold
James & Franklin LLP
Mai Huy
LandOfFree
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